IPS-01 / 12 · Integrated Product Support

Product Support Management

The management layer that plans, funds and coordinates all other IPS elements across the life cycle.

What it is

Product Support Management is the integrating element. It covers the planning, management and funding of the entire support solution: setting the support strategy, defining sustainment metrics, managing risk, and making sure the other eleven elements are developed together rather than in isolation.

Why your contract asks for it

When a contract asks for an "ILS Plan" or "IPS Plan" (ILSP/IPSP), this is the element it belongs to. For an SME, it is usually the first deliverable a prime contractor will ask for — and the one that gets reviewed hardest, because it shows whether you understand the rest.

Typical activities and deliverables

• Developing and maintaining the ILS/IPS Plan (ILSP/IPSP)
• Defining sustainment metrics (availability, reliability, cost per operating hour)
• Planning and tracking IPS work packages, schedules and budgets
• Coordinating IPS inputs into design reviews and contract milestones
• Managing supportability risks and obsolescence at programme level

Related standards

References indicate alignment with publicly available standards and common contractual practice. This is independent guidance, not an official publication of any standards body.